I bought Skil's little 5 1/2" three years ago. I have NOT used my 7 1/4" since! This feather weight lets you work all day long without fatique. I have so much more control with this saw, its a miracle. A couple of cautions though. Its kind of hard to find replacement blades for it. BD's Piranha blade is very good, if you can find one in the 5 1/2" size. Also, its a left hand setup. The motor hangs off to the right. If you rip using a nailed down 3/4" straight edge where the motor rides above it (most righties do,) the maximum depth of cut is fairly shallow (about 1") Other than these two limitations, best buck and a quarter I've ever spent on a woodworking tool.

There are very few skil tools that capture my attention. Most are consumer grade like Black and Decker or Craftsman. The wormdrive saws and this trim saw are the exception. They represent the best of the industry. You may laugh at this little saw but it is a wonderful tool. It has full ball bearing construction. It is a professional tool that cuts beautifully. Glides through wood like a fish through water. I bought mine used at a pawn shop but it runs like a top after 6 years of use. You wouldn't believe it but it spanks Porter Cables saw boss any day of the week. Although it has a smaller motor ,6.5 amps Vs.9 amps ,it cuts circles around the PC. The PC never feels like it's really going to take off in the cut. It cuts O.K. but it never glides through like this little skilsaw. I wish you could run them side by side so you could feel the difference. It's incredible. I thought it might be an isolated case but I tried several sawboss saws and they were all the same. New blades old blades pine , plywood or oak it doesn't matter This saw really goes to town. It's perfect for trim or framing. The only thing I can say bad about it , is you can't cut a 45 on 2x lumber with it. Other than that , it's flawless. Highly recommended!

At first I was very happy with this purchase, but the depth adjustment bar got bent and tweaked everything else out of alignment. It is ok for occasional use, but if you intend to use it a lot I would go with the 7-1/4" porter cable.

Great saw. Light weight. Left side cut is great for right handers. Cuts 2-by with ease. The Light weight makes it the choice for cutting off rafter tails. But...good luck finding a replacement blade for it. Amazon does not sell them. Neither does Loews or Home depot. Black and Decker did make a blade for it but I have not seen them for some time. Buy the saw but find a source and stock up on blades for it.

I got this saw to replace my 18v DeWalt 5-3/8" cordless trim saw, which is underpowered and can't handle much more than thin plywood and short cuts on 2x4s. The Skil saw completely blows it away in terms of power. I did like the fit and feel of the DeWalt better, but that was probably due more to the fact that it was cordless than anything else. The Skil saw is a terrific alternative to bulkier and heavier 7-1/4" circular saws. I almost never need to cut wood that thick except on my table saw anyway. I have a feeling my 7-1/4" circular saw is going to collect a lot of dust now that I have added this smaller Skil saw to my shop.
br /
br /The only reason I gave it four stars rather than five is that it didn't come with a rip fence and because the arbor hole in the saw blade that came with it is considerably larger than the arbor on the saw. The rip fence can be purchased separately, but it seems kind of chintzy that they wouldn't include it. As for the blade, well, I'm not sure what they were thinking.

I agree with these reviews. It is a very useful saw and I prefer it over the PC saw boss. I hardly evey have this saw out alone but it sees a fair amount of use. We treat it a little specail and make sure we don't through it around. I do wish it came with a case because like I said I think of it more of a precision tool. I have over the years bought hundreds of tools worth tens of thousands of dollars. I would rate this little saw in my top ten.

I purchased this "little" Skill about six months ago. I think I have only used my worm drive a couple of times since! For remodeling and trim/millwork, this saw does the job. It gets in tight places, is really light, and a regular little workhorse.pI would say that the only glitches that I can find with this saw are: The trigger, and the adjustable blade location markings on the front of the shoe.pThe trigger is a soft pull (very nice for the proffesional) and has no "click" or any type of resistance to turning on. I have accidently turned the saw on while adjusting the depth or pulling the guard up! Resulting in a few close calls until I got used to the "touchy" trigger.pThe open/adjustable blade location area on the front of the shoe tends to catch on the edge of the material sometimes. I took a file to this area, almost right out of the box.pOverall, I love this saw! You can't get a better little saw for a C-note! Some siders I know use the little Makitas, and I have used them. The little Skill doesn't give up anything to the makita. And the makita is like $100 bucks more!

I bought one of these about 15 years ago and it's still going strong. When I first brought it out to the jobsite most of the crew laughed, inside of two months three of the other guys had bought one! It's especially handy when working on shingles or anything on a scaffold. The older I get the lighter I like my tools to be and this saw couldn't be much better. A great product, if it broke tomorrow I'd leave the job and go buy another one and I can't say that about many of the tools I own. Truly indispensable!

This saw was purchased 5 years ago for its compactness to fit into a kit box. I did work in art direction set construction on films at that time. pI'm right handed so I love having the blade on the left for visibility of the cut. Be sure to keep your left hand clear!! Saws intended for homeowners have the blade on the right for greater safety. pI found the motor housing to be in the way when using a guide to rip or crosscut plywood sheets. This was also mentioned by a previous reviewer.pMy major complaint is that this saw is very LOUD compared to the equivalent Porter Cable model. (I don't know if it's just my saw - there aren't that many hours on it. ) I would probably choose the P-C if I had to do it again. BTW I do wear ear protection.pThis saw's benefits are compact size, light weight and power.

I've always thought a smaller, lighter more compact circular saw would be better for the type of work that I do. Now that my saw has arrived, I realize how right I was. pThis is really one easy to use saw. I bolted on a new carbide blade and found that I no longer dread jobs that call for a circular saw. I doubt that I'll ever pick up my 7 1/4 circular saw again. pThis saw has plenty of power for cross cutting 2 x 8 and is very easy to control when cutting plywood panels. I appreciate the left hand blade which makes it much easier to control exactly where one is cutting. The blade guard moves out of the way easily and the entire saw, from the long heavy duty cord to the saw housing, speaks quality.pHome Depot carries 5 1/2 inch carbide tipped circular saw blades with the required 1/2 inch arbor for just under $10 so keeping myself in saw blades will not be a problem.

This saw is by far the easiest circular saw I've ever used. I've used it on 3/4" plywood and 1" and 2" lumber and it has handled all of it with ease. brUnfortunately, there is a very limited selection of blades for this saw (there's really nothing else like it on the market). I found a 18 tooth carbide tipped blade by Skil that I've used on it from the start, and this has worked great. brBefore I purchased this saw I noticed that I had never seen one for sale in a pawn shop or used tool store or on E-bay. Now that I have one I know why.

I'm not a professional contractor or woodworker. I just use my circular saw to cut plywood and sometimes 2 x 4's for home improvement projects. I bought this tool for one reason, it's light. I would have bought it from Amazon, but it was on back order for months, so I picked one up from Home Depot (and actually paid more! Tax and shipping would have been free from Amazon!)brI love this saw for a lot of different reasons. It's light. It's quiet. After I set up the saw angles, It cuts great. The motor is off to the right, so I can see the blade while I'm cutting. And it's the least expensive and lightest of all the other corded trim saws on the market. And contrary to the other reviewer, I think the mfg. quality of the saw is good.pThe only problem I'm having now is finding non Skill, 5-1/2" carbide tip blades with a 1/2" arbor. pI love this little saw. I'm going to buy one for my dad for his birthday from Amazon now that it looks like they have them back in stock. (no, I don't work for Amazon, or Skill...)

I've used many saws in my day worm drives, standard drive, cordless large and small but this saw has to be the handiest little thing I've found. Really cuts down on the fatigue associated with larger heavier saws. It does have it's limitations (read as 5 1/2" saw) but if you are only cutting 2X stock and smaller this thing rocks.

90% of the work I do is installing doors and windows in older homes. I use this saw to cut siding back and interior trim to allow for the new windows or doors to fit properly. This saw is perfect for this. It is light weight and the right size to get into those tight spaces. It hasn't lacked in power to do any of this. The one disappointing shortcoming of this saw however is it will not cut all the way through a 1 3/4" door. It lacks an 1/8" at the most to be able to do it. I have to pull my 7 1/4" saw out for that. You should also be careful of the base. My saw fell from 3 feet onto carpet and the base bent on the corner. I was able to bend it back but be careful.

Well made, quality tool with ample power for most tasks. Well balanced too. Only drawbacks are lack of wrench storage, cheap original blade, and no case (but this saw gets used enough it would spend little time in case anyway). Deduct 1 star for these faults if you see fit.

Skil has made one of the greatest little saws yet. This saw has more power than the Porter Cable Saw Boss, and is lightweight and easy to use. Most of the time I don't need the power of a 7 1/4" worm drive, so I grab the 5 1/2" skilsaw. I use it in my shop mostly for cutting sheets of plywood down to size, and occasionally to cut a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6. It has plenty of power and is so convenient to use. You won't be disappointed in this little power house. By the way, it is not that noisy as another reviewer has written. If you want quiet, go back to the kitchen.

I was given this saw a few years ago, by my father for a christmas present. Since i'am a contractor it comes in really handy. This saw goes places where with a right handed saw, it seems to be virtually impossible. I would highly recommend this product to homeowners and contractors alike. I plan to keep mine as long as it lasts, so far for 4 years with everyday use.

I bought this saw 22 years ago and have used it since. I am a professional electrician and use a circular saw from time to time on the job for wood braces and supports. The saw has never been serviced or repaired. Some 7 years ago, I bought a Freud carbide blade from Home Depot. That's all I've done to it, and it keeps on going and going. When it no longer works, I'll get another. But, at the rate that it last and last, who knows when that will be.

Bought a Skil 5 1/2" saw some 35 or more years ago. It is a light weight powerhouse. I now have rheumatiod arthritis and two hands with silicone knuckle joints. The light weight of the Skil saw makes it easy to handle. Probably more important is that it cuts lumber like it was butter. Several years ago I replaced the power cord and oiled the bronze bearings. It still runs like new. I will buy a new one because my old one has a right side blade and I am reght handed.

I am very pleased with the combination of power and light weight with this saw.
br /This is now my cutting tool of choice, and I use my 7-1/4 inch saw only for thicker stock.

This is the best saw for your money. It's light in weight, and has the power of a big saw. I have cut lumber for hours on end, and It don't make your arm feel tired. It's got power to burn, and it's light weight. Ron

I've owned one of these for over 20 years. I love the left sided blade, it's light weight, very easy to handle and will perform about 90% of what a bigger heavier circular saw will do. I'm almost temped to buy a second one as a backup but my saw shows no signs of failing me.

I have never in my life used a skil saw and let me say this, the ease of use was simply amazing, I am a lefty who have no prob with this really light saw what-so-ever. I have never been happier with a tool then i am with this one...

Bought this because I wanted a smaller corded circular saw with the blade on the left, like my ridgid cordless circular saw. I was tired of the batteries being dead all the time. I like the blade on the left because I am right handed and like to see what I am cutting when I am cutting it. I think this is a perfect saw for small jobs. It is very lightweight and small unlike the bohemoth 7 1/2 inch circular saws. The only possible problem is you can pretty much only cut through 2" stock with the 5 1/2 inch blade. This is however not a problem to me. It has great power and feels very sturdy. If I dropped it I know it would be a problem because it would bend out of alignment, but any circular saw would. I would definitely recommend it to everyone who is looking for a light duty compact circular saw.

The saw itself is a wonderful addition to anyone's arsenal. It is powerful and light enough to use all day without getting fatigued. The adjustments work smoothly and the controls all seem to be in the right place. But...(and it's a huge but), you will really have a hard time finding the right blade for it. In fact you will have a hard time finding any blade for it. It uses a 5 1/2" blade with 1/2" arbor and while finding 5 1/2" blades is difficult enough...finding one with a 1/2" arbor hole is downright impossible! Even Skill seems to have forgotten about this saw and it's loyal group of followers. They only carry a cheap steel plywood blade and an 18 tooth version of carbide as far as I can tell. You will be able to find blades with 10 millimeters and 3/8" holes or you will find 5 3/8" blades but trying to find a 5 1/2" quality blade 24 tooth (or more) with a 1/2" arbor hole will make you pull your hair out. In the end it's a nice saw but none of that matters when it comes time for your next blade so I'd have to recommend going to Porter Cable and their 6" Saw Boss or down to a cordless 5 3/8" if you don't want to waste days trying to justify your purchase.

I've owned a skil-5-1/2er for over 10 years. Can't imagine life without one especially after owning a black and decker before the "Skil". Definitely a must-have item.

Love this saw. Great for right hand cutting. I stocked up way back on saw blades, so I do not know about how hard they are to find now, but I'm going to look today. I have 2 other big saws and have not used them since getting this 6 years ago. If you can find one try it!!!!

I wish I had owned this saw many years (if it existed then) ago. It's a pleasure to use. I have a Skil worm drive (which is another great saw) but it's very heavy for small jobs/pieces. This saw really does a great job with the only draw back being that it's a bit hard finding blades sometimes. HD Lowes do not carry blades for this saw so you need to go to Ace Hardware or order them over the Internet.

I do remodels. bought this saw a yr ago after using another old 5 1/2 for many yrs. This is the easiest cutting saw I have ever used. Handle position is great for straight cuts. cross cuts on 2Xs are a breeze. no problem using a rip guide for long, straight, accurate cuts.
br /
br /Only drawback is blade selection, as mentioned before. Only have 1 tooth choice locally of carbide blades.
br /
br /After several cross jobs with different crews, everyone who picks it up makes just 1 cut, loves the saw.
br /
br /This is one tool I recommend without qualification.

While I have't used it much, this saw is truly a joy to use. Be careful when buying blades. I bought a 5 1/2" blade thinking it would fit my HD5510.....wrong! Many of the smaller blades are for cordless saws with a 10mm arbor, while this saw has a 1/2" arbor. They are not interchangeable.